Future Focus | 700 Million Voices: What the Data Really Says About AI in Our Lives | Week of September 15, 2025

In this episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan Bauschard explore groundbreaking findings from a study released by OpenAI and Anthropic on how people are really using AI tools like ChatGPT. From tutoring and personalized learning to writing assistance and decision-making, they break down what 700 million weekly users reveal about how AI is transforming everyday life. With special focus on education, agency, and future-ready skills, this conversation is a wake-up call for schools, institutions, and leaders to move from committees to action.

Timestamps

00:01:00 – Inside the Data: 700 Million Weekly Users and What They're Doing with AI

• A look at the NBER study's key insights, showing a dramatic rise in personal, non-work AI use.

00:04:30 – Top 3 Use Cases: Tutoring, Information Seeking, and Writing Support

• A breakdown of the three most common AI usage themes and their significance in education.

00:13:00 – The Gender Gap Closes and the Myth of Coding-Centric AI

• Exploration of shifting demographics and the broader applications of AI beyond STEM.

00:20:00 – Why Agency is the New Literacy in the Age of AI

• Connecting data trends with the need for self-directed learning and decision-making skills.

00:32:00 – Brandeis University’s Bold Move to Reinvent Higher Ed for an AI Future

• A case study in institutional agility and what it means to act—not wait—in a rapidly evolving world.

Resources Mentioned

• How Are People Using ChatGPT
• Anthropic Economic Index
• Brandeis University: Reinventing the Liberal Arts

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